Kyle Dean Massey Talks Stepping Into PIPPIN & Revival Vs. Original

Rising Broadway star and current PIPPIN revival headliner Kyle Dean Massey opens up about stepping into the acclaimed Diane Paulus-directed revival and more as part of a new interview.

Shedding some light on replacement stints and how PIPPIN differs from other shows in that regard, Massey shares, "This was a little different because you have to learn all the circus stuff, which was a different challenge."

Denying PIPPIN is merely about "Simple Joys", Massey opines, "I think it's more about finding happiness outside of yourself. Pippin is a character who's so concerned with his own fulfillment through the entire show. It's not until he starts caring about someone else that he finds any glimmer of happiness. The message is to find your own happiness by making your own decisions, not from being pushed into anything. Judging your happiness on yourself rather than what anyone else is doing."

Furthermore, commenting on the production itself and his affinity for Bob Fosse's original, Massey adds, "They did a video recording of the original production that they taped for TV. I grew up watching that. Then I saw this production last summer, when I had a small break in Wicked. I was blown away with this production - the way they've reimagined it was smart, and for me it made the show make sense. Before, I was like, 'I like the music, but what is that show? I don't get it.'"

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Pat Cerasaro is BroadwayWorld's Chief Interviewer and Senior Editor, contributing exclusive scholarly columns including InDepth InterViews, Sound Off, Theatrical Throwback Thursdays, Flash Friday and Flash Special as well as additional special features, world premiere clips and extensive news coverage. His work for the site has appeared in The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, US Weekly, The Biography Channel, NBC and more. He also wrote and directed two sold-out 2014 BroadwayWorld charity concert events featuring all-star casts, EVERYTHING'S COMING UP BROADWAYWORLD.COM: A JULE STYNE TRIBUTE and THE LORD & THE MASTER: BROADWAYWORLD.COM SINGS THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER & STEPHEN SONDHEIM.